TY - CONF TI - Defining Lean Construction Capability From an Ambidextrous Perspective C1 - Lima, Peru C3 - Proc. 29th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC) SP - 147 EP - 156 PY - 2021 DO - 10.24928/2021/0105 AU - Fang, Yanqing AU - Daniel, Emmanuel Itodo AD - PhD Graduate, School of Management Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Finance and Economics, China. fangyq_lc@sina.com, orcid.org/0000-0003-2989-9737 AD - Sr. Lecturer in Constr. Mgmt., School of Arch. and Built Envir., Faculty of Sci. and Engrg., Univ. of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom WV1 ILY, E.Daniel2@wlv.ac.uk, orcid.org/0000-0002-5675-1845 AB - Lean construction (LC) is widely used to eliminate waste in the construction industry. However, research on LC capability is lagging relative to other works in the LC field. By exploring relevant literature on the rigid and flexible characteristics of LC, this study proposes for the first time that LC capability is an ambidextrous capability from a paradoxical lens. The investigation reveals that the concept of LC capability has no clear definition and puts forward the view that LC capability is an ambidextrous capability. The study established that LC ambidextrous capability is a paradox which consist of two dimensions—namely LC exploitative capability and LC exploratory capability. LC ambidextrous capability emphasizes striving for a balance between the two capabilities. This study contributes to current knowledge and future application of organizational ambidexterity theory to LC capability development. Regarding contribution to practice, this research would enable LC project practitioners to understand the paradoxical tensions in LC projects, and to how to deal with them. Additionally, this study brings new insight and opens a new debate on how LC ambidextrous capability could develop in the construction field. KW - Lean construction KW - ambidextrous capability KW - paradox KW - exploitation KW - exploration PB - T2 - Proc. 29th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC) DA - 2021/07/14 CY - Lima, Peru L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/1844/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/1844 N1 - Export Date: 19 April 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER -